MPV and people carrier · 1997–2018 cars
Mazda 5 reliability
The Mazda 5 fails 48.2% of first MOT tests, 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 38,619 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mazda 5 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 48.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 22% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 38,619
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mazda 5 ages
Each point is the share of Mazda 5s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mazda 5 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 30.3% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 29.9% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 33.9% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 36% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 37.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 42.7% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 47.6% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 50.1% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 54% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 52.8% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 54% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 55.8% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 57.6% | 43.5% |
By year
The best and worst Mazda 5 years
2012 cars come out best and 2015 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 5 | 2,038 | 31.3% | 28% more fails | 64,818 |
| 2014 5 | 1,649 | 35.4% | 26% more fails | 76,167 |
| 2013 5 | 2,203 | 37.2% | 18% more fails | 82,371 |
| 2012 5 | 2,610 | 37.9% | 10% more fails | 89,424 |
| 2011 5 | 2,744 | 41.4% | 11% more fails | 94,506 |
| 2010 5 | 5,082 | 50% | 26% more fails | 96,363 |
| 2009 5 | 4,863 | 51% | 24% more fails | 99,054 |
| 2008 5 | 7,311 | 52.9% | 23% more fails | 107,168 |
| 2007 5 | 6,305 | 55.1% | 24% more fails | 112,798 |
| 2006 5 | 2,927 | 55.3% | 24% more fails | 112,763 |
| 2005 | 779 | 55.2% | 22% more fails | 113,891 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mazda 5
Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 94% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension24.9%64% above avg
- Lights and electrics20.5%14% above avg
- Tyres10.8%43% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure10.6%75% above avg
- Brakes10.5%3% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks10.2%94% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.2%20% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.4%48% above avg
- Steering1.6%49% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 6.83% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 6.18% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.95% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.04% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 3.82% of tests
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
- 6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.77% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.69% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 8
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.66% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mazda 5's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit20.9%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear12.36%
- Brake disc pitted or scored12.16%
- Brake pads wearing thin11.07%
- Sub-frame showing corrosion9.05%
- Linkage ball joint slight play7.98%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mazda 5
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Mazda 5 covers about 8,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol73.3%
- Diesel26.6%
- LPG0.1%
- Other0%
Most common colours
Blue, Grey, Silver, Black, Red
Average engine size: 1.9 litres.
Compare
How the Mazda 5 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Alphard | 23.2% | 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz V-Class | 17% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Elgrand | 29% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Tourneo Connect | 21.1% | 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Tourneo | 25.6% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda 5 | 48.2% | 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C4 Grand Picasso | 28.6% | 49% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Mazda models.
Questions
Mazda 5 questions, answered
Is the Mazda 5 reliable?
On MOT results, the Mazda 5 is below average: it fails 48.2% of first MOT tests, 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 38 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Mazda 5 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mazda 5 are position lamp not working (6.83% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (6.18% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (4.95% of tests). By area, suspension fails 24.9% of its tests.
Which Mazda 5 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (10% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2015 cars do worst (28% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mazda 5 do a year?
A typical Mazda 5 covers about 8,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Mazda 5 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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